Spain offers haven to stranded migrants rejected by Italy

Spain is to take more than 600 migrants stranded on a rescue ship in the Mediterranean with dwindling food supplies after Italy’s populist government refused to let them disembark.

Pedro Sánchez, the new Spanish prime minister, said yesterday: “It is our obligation to avoid a catastrophe and offer a safe haven to these people.” He granted the overloaded ship permission to dock in Valencia.

The decision appeared to end a 24-hour stand-off after Matteo Salvini, the Italian interior minister, turned the ship away as it headed for Sicily. The Italian government had demanded that Malta take the migrants but it refused.

Mr Salvini tweeted: “Victory!” After thanking Spain he said: “Evidently raising one’s voice, something Italy has not done for years, pays.” He said that…

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